Bulletin Report of The Commission on The Chinese University of Hong Kong March 1976

One Example of a Small-group Teaching System 1. The example provided below sets out one possible way of arranging a small- group teaching system. This is for illustration only; there are many possible variants. 2. Assumptions. This particular model is based on the following assumptions (i) 3,600 undergraduates; 1,200 in each of 3 colleges; no allowance is made for “wastage” ； (ii) 360 teachers (on an assumed staff/student ratio of 1:10); (iii) 33% of teachers to be engaged primarily on "student-orientated" teaching, i.e. 40 in each College ； (iv) a satisfactory distribution by subjects of students and "student- orientated" teachers in each College ； (V) 1st year students have small-group teaching in groups of 4 in 2 subjects per week throughout the academic year; 2nd and 3rd year students have small-group teaching in groups of 4 in 1 subject every other week; 4th year students have small group teaching in groups of 4 in 2 subjects per week. 3. Duties of the "student-orientated" teacher (i) New students Advice on studies, courses, methods of work; etc. Watching for signs of faltering or of exceptional promise etc. (ii) 2nd and 3rd years Encouraging self-help and boosting self- confidence, especially when it shows signs of flagging. (iii) 4th year Preparation for examinations in the broadest sense ； advice on filling of gaps in the group covered. Also in the narrower sense — writing techniques ； virtues of relevance etc. (iv) At College meetings of ''student- orientated” teachers To cover the list of College students once per term. Particular care over 1st year students — the accident-prone or those at some special measure of risk. Drawing together the comments and advice of all those (e.g. medical officers) who have had to do with individual cases. 4. Student's Schedule A student's programme as a member of a small tutorial group would be as follows: 1st year (1) Interview with “student-orientated” teacher on entry to discuss (a) course proposed